As fall internships get into full swing, there are few steps new interns should take as they prepare to gain applicable skills for the workplace and their future careers. We already outlined what to do as you wrap up an internship, but just because you landed your internship doesn’t mean the hard work is over. The first week of a new internship can be painful if you’re not prepared.
Here are seven things every intern should do to start an internship on the right foot:
1. Familiarize yourself with company policies and key players.
It’s likely that you’ll be inundated with company policies and new names during your first week of your internship. Try your best to become familiar with them both. Understanding the company’s structure, expectations, dress code, deadlines, and influencers will make your internship run much smoother. I’m personally horrible with remembering names. But you must recognize who to contact if you need something specific during the day, such as tech help or payroll issues.
2. Get organized.
Now that you understand all of the policies and people, start organizing your calendar with regular meetings, deadlines, and days off. You’ll start to feel better once you understand when big projects are due and when to be prepared with materials.
3. Tackle the paperwork.
Be prepared to fill out lots of paperwork, and make sure you covered it all. Things like setting up payroll and direct deposits, signing office policy procedures, and perhaps even getting a parking pass are typical of starting most internships and jobs. Don’t forget your license and social security number!
For those of you interning while still in school, were you wanting college credit for this internship? If so, did you speak to your advisor and fill out the appropriate paperwork? If you haven’t done so, receiving college credit for an internship is a process that typically begins prior to the internship. Talk to your school’s advisor soon if you haven’t!
4. Ask questions, questions, and more questions.
Nobody expects an intern to know everything during their first week. That’s the purpose of doing an internship — to learn new skills of your trade while expanding on current skills. So ask questions, lots of them! Don’t be shy. Think of your internship as a learning experience you may never have access to again.
5. Always take notes.
In the same vane of asking questions, always take notes even if it’s an impromptu meeting. As an intern, I once had a boss that reprimanded me for not taking notes during every meeting. Do it. It will save you a lot of hassle later when you’ve forgotten one minor detail of an assignment.
6. Be a team player: Take time to observe and share.
If you’re not the only intern around, take the time to share tips and tricks as you learn. Helping each other out will benefit you both in the long run and prevent you from both making the same mistakes. It’s likely that you’ll have some projects that involve working with a group or team. Don’t let your ego get in the way of contributing to any task. After all, you are the new one.
7. Take a chill pill.
So you’ve done steps one through six? Take a chill pill. Starting an internship can be overwhelming. But the day-to-day tasks will get much easier with time and if you’re prepared with an open mind.
Once you’ve reached the middle of your internship, read more on how to be the ultimate intern.
Do you have any other tips on beginning an internship successfully?
